Celebrating NAIDOC the NRL way

Sunday 10 July in Laura, North Queensland was a great day for footy, with the community celebrating NAIDOC with tournament of local rugby league teams.

The teams and their fans from the surrounding communities of WujalWujal, Hope Vale and Cooktown came to the Ang-Gnarra grounds to do battle with each other, the local Laura Quinkan’s team and the Army, who are in Laura as part of the Army Aboriginal Community Assistance Programme (AACAP).

The Army and the National Rugby League (NRL) made sure the competition officially 'ticked all the boxes', including: official referees, linesmen, goal posts, line markings, first aid and relevant player checks. Half time entertainment was provided by the popular 1 RAR Army band, who played the classic beats of Bob Marley and Bruno Mars.

Captain Matthew Jetson, the AACAP Contingent’s Second in Charge, played winger on the day.

“The carnival was a great success. The games were played with an excellent North Queensland spirit. Tough but friendly,” Matthew said.

“And the crowd was loud and jovial.  It was a great way for us in the Army to experience and celebrate Indigenous and North Queensland Culture.”

Each team played two games and as the day wore on, even spectators could feel each hard hit as players connected with each other and with the ground. Despite the hard knocks, the game was filled with laughter and good spirits as each player brushed off the dirt and played on.

One highlight of the day was seeing Major Jack Plimmer, the Army’s Contingent Commander, sent off the field for ‘not putting in enough’. It seemed everyone was in on the joke except for him. Spectators burst into laughter but he gracefully honoured the referee’s decision waving as he left the field.

Robbie Moore, Assistant Division Manager of Queensland Rugby League attended the games.

“The Laura Gala Day was one of the best days I’ve been involved with in the Cape, and all the teams should be commended on the positive behaviour and the way they represented their communities,” Robbie said.

At the end of the competition, NRL Ambassador, Matt Bowen from the North Queensland Cowboys Development Team awarded one player from each team ’Best Player of the Day’.  All teams were congratulated but Wujal Wujal, which won every one of its games, walked away with the Reg Saunders Trophy. The cup was named after Captain Reg Saunders, the first Indigenous Australian to be commissioned as an officer in WWII.

Danielle Wallace, one of the spectators from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, said it was a great experience for all in attendance and a privilege to be part of such a wonderful event.